Airbags

B009E — Right Side Restraints Sensor 5 Fault (Subfault)

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What B009E means

B009E means the airbag (SRS) control module detected a problem in the circuit or signal of right side restraints sensor 5. On many vehicles this relates to the passenger seat occupant (weight) sensor or its wiring, but the exact sensor location depends on the make. The module constantly monitors these sensors and, when data is implausible, it logs the code and may disable some airbags.

Symptoms

  • Airbag/SRS warning light is on
  • Passenger airbag may not deploy or may be switched off
  • Passenger airbag off indicator flashes or stays lit
  • Passenger seat belt reminder behaves incorrectly
  • Fault appears after cleaning the interior, new seat covers or seat work

Possible causes

  1. Faulty passenger seat occupant/weight sensor or right side sensor
  2. Damaged, corroded or loose connector under the seat
  3. Broken or shorted wiring, often from the harness flexing as the seat moves
  4. Moisture in the cabin reaching the connectors or sensor
  5. Incompatible seat covers or objects under the seat
  6. Failed SRS control module (uncommon)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan all modules including SRS and save the freeze frame data
  2. Look for other airbag, belt or occupant sensor codes
  3. Inspect connectors and harness under the right front seat for moisture, corrosion and damage
  4. Make sure nothing is under the seat and covers are not interfering with the sensor
  5. Disconnect the battery and wait the manufacturer's specified time before unplugging SRS connectors
  6. Test circuit continuity and resistance per the factory wiring diagram
  7. Watch occupant sensor live data with the seat empty and occupied
  8. Clear the code and see if it returns

Common fixes

  • Clean and repair connectors and secure the harness
  • Repair or replace damaged wiring
  • Replace the occupant/weight sensor, with calibration if required
  • Replace the SRS control module once confirmed faulty

Questions and answers

What does B009E mean?

It is a fault in right side restraints sensor 5 (a subfault). It is most often tied to the passenger seat occupant sensor or its wiring.

Can I just clear B009E?

You can clear it with a scan tool, but if the cause remains it will come back and the airbag stays in doubt. Find and fix the fault first.

Is it safe to drive with B009E?

The car will drive normally, but the passenger airbag may not work properly. Avoid carrying a passenger, especially a child, in the front seat until repaired.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.